Dual pneumatic wheel



June so, 1936. F. w. BURGER Re; 20,022

- DUAL PNEUMATIC WHEEL Original Filed Sept. 27, 1926 Reiasued June 2 30, 1936 ."UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mm. momma wnssr.

Frederick W. Burger, Niles, Mich., salute: to

- Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, Mich,

a corporation of Michigan Original No. 1,911,327, Aumt 2a, 1934,

Serial No. 137,846,. September 27, 1926. Application for reissue June 28 1935, Serial No.

Myinvention relates to vehicle wheels of the type adapted for mounting two pneumatic tires side by side thereon, commonly termed dual pneumatic wheels, these wheels now being extensively used on heavy busses and trucks, particularly as the rear driving wheels of such vehicles.

One of the objects .of the invention is to provide a simplified wheel of this type wherein both tire rims are detachably held in place on the wheel by a single set of bolts which perform a common clamping function for both rims, and wherein both rims can be quickly and easily removed from the outboard side of the wheel.

A further .object is to provide a dual pneumatic wheel which will mount a standard rim, preferably of the type having inwardly extending apertured lugs, and which will receive this type of rim interchangeably on either the outboard or inboard side of the wheel.

A im'ther object is to provide a wheel of this construction wherein both rims are positively held on the wheel against lateral stresses by tapered or wedge shaped seating surfaces; wherein both rims are positively held against circumferential slippage relative to the wheel; and wherein both ends of each clamping bolt are positively held against siipplng,'skewing or bending consequent upon any driving or braking torque reacting on 'the bolts.

Other objects of my invention pertaining to the particular details of construction of the wheel will be apparent fromv the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof. In the accompanying drawing illustrating this embodiment:

Fig. l is a fragmentary elevational view of my improved wheel, illustrating the outboard side thereof;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the radial plane of the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through one of the points of clamping engagement, cor-' responding to a section taken on the plane of the line H of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the wedge blocks.

I have illustrated the. invention in a spoke wheel embodiment, and such is the preferred construction, but, as will hereinafter appear, the

fundamental advantages of the invention can also be realized in a disc type of'wheel. In the construction shown, the wheel comprises a central portion i consisting of a hub and spoke structure or spider. The hub and spokes are preferably cast as an integral unit, and the spokes are of 29 Claims. (01. sc -1 s) hollow cross-section, as shownat 6' in Fig. 2. The two rims I and 9, corresponding to the inboard and outboard rims respectively, and carrying pneumatic tires ii and i2, are supported in planes on the inboard and outboard sides of the spoke a structure 8, this spoke structure lying in a median plane between the two tires where it will have the bearing loads of both tires distributed equally thereon. The rims 8 and 9 are duplicate standard units, having marginal flanges for receiving either a straight side or clincher type of tire. The particular construction of these flanges and their retaining rings et cetera are well-known and require no detailed description. These rims are of the type having circumferentially spaced lugs ll riveted or welded to their inner peripheral sides, such lugs comprising tapered or wedge shaped inner surfaces is and radially inwardly extending apertured ears I.

The outer end-of each spoke i is formed with a radially extending flange l1, projecting from the end of the spoke in a plane disposed on the inboard side of the spoke structure. Sloping inwardly from the extremity oi this radial flange I! lean inclined flange II, the radially outer surface oi which aflords a tapered or wedge shaped seating surface I! for cooperating with the sloping seating surface ll of the inboard rim l. The radial flange I1 is apertured to receive sleeve transmitting the clamping pressure from the outboard rim to the inboard rim for forcing, the inboard rim into wedging'engagement on the wedge surface I! .of the spoke flange l8.

The-opposite or outboard side of each spolre end is formed with a laterally projecting flange 24 which, as viewed from the outboard side of the wheel (Fig. 1) is given an arcuate curvature to form an outwardly opening socket having a' curved bottom wall 25. Engaging in this curved socket is a wedge block 2| having a semi-cylindrical radially inner or bottom surface 21 for matching with the bottom wall 2! of the socket, and having a tapered or wedge shaped radially outer surface 2| for cooperating with the sloping surface ii of the outboard rim lug ll. The

clamping bolt 2| passes'through a hole 29 in this wedge block, and receives a nut 3| on its outer. threaded end. As shown in Fig. 2, the semi-.

- cylindrical bottom wall 25 of the curved socket 24 preferably extends in a plane parallel with the normal axis of the bolt 2| so that in forcing the wedge block into clamping engagement it is forced tightly against the curved bottom wall or seat 25 and therefore is self centering. I thus provide a solid drive between the hub and spoke structure, or spider, and the rim. Furthermore,

' no binding action can occur between the wedge block and boltall of the wedge action of the 'block occurring between the sloping surface 28 thereof and the wedge surface l5 of the outer rim lug I4. The fixed flange l8 and the movable wedge block 26 constitute, in effect, a pair of clamping members between which the rim lugs l6 are securely clamped to the wheels. I one operation of tightening the boltseifectively secures both rims in place on the wheel.

'I'he foregoing construction is provided at the radially outer end of each spoke 6', and both rims have lugs ll corresponding to the number of such spokes. 'In mounting the rims on the central portion 6 of the wheel the inboard rim 8 is first slipped over the spoke'ends, the apertured lug portions ii of the rim being engaged over the bolts 2|. The separators or spacing sleeves 23 are now slipped over the bolts to bear against pressure applied to the wedge blocks is first effective in shifting the outboard rim axially inwardly along the bolts 2|, this shifting-movement being then taken up by the spacers and forcing the inrespect ,to the inboard tire.

board rim laterally across the sloping surfaces is.

of the spoke ends. As the inboard rim' is being forced into rigid wedging engagement on these sloping surfaces, the outboard rim is likewise v being wedged in' rigid engagement on the sloping surfaces 28 of the wedge blocks. Thus, both" rims are brought into a wedged mounting onthe wheel simultaneously through this single set of bolts. With both rims flrmlymounted on the wheel, lateral stresses reacting against either tirewill be resistedby these wedge surfaces. Thus,

lateral outward thrust against the outboard tire .will be borne by the wedge blocks 26 and lateral inward thrust will be transmitted through the spacers 23 'to the radially inner wedge surfaces l9.

This is also true in reversed relation with Circumferential stresses reacting through the inboard tire will be positively resisted by the engagement of the lug portions l6 of the rim over the bolts 2|; and similarly with the outboard tire. Such circumferential stresses are incapable of twisting or bending the bolts sideways because the outboard ends of the bolts are anchored in the wedge blocks, and the wedge blocks in turn are positively held against circumferential slippage because of their seating in the recessed sockets 24. With both rims firmly clamped in position, it will be observed that the rims constitute a felloe portion forthe spider-like spoke structure 6.

The removal of either rim is eflected from the outboardside of the wheel by simply removing the nuts ll, and possibly tapping the rim to release its wedged engagement.

Thus, the- While I have shown what I consider a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the invention is not strictly limited thereto. For example, instead of having an interrupted wedge surface I9, only effective at the extremitiesof the spokes, this wedge surface might be a continuous surface, formed on a felloe joining the spoke ends, or constituting the outer portion of a disc wheel. Similarly, the wedge surface 28 might be formed as a continuous surface on a removable ring, the latter having suitable means acting in conjunction with the wheel or spider structure, analogous to the sockets 24 r the outboard portion of each spoke, a wedge block seating in each socket and having a wedge surface thereon, an outboard rim having a radially inwardly extending lug bearing on said latter wedge surface, said bolt passing through said lugs, and a separating sleeve engaging over said bolt between the opposing faces of said lugs.

2. In a; rim securing means for the hub and spoke structure of a vehicle wheel, said structure having a plurality of spokes, dual rims'mounted on said spokes, a flange extending substantially radially from each spoke end, a laterally sloping wedge surface projecting radially inwardly from the inboard side of each radial flange; clamping bolts carried by said radial flanges and extending towards the outboard side of the wheel, arou- ;at.e.sockets formed in said spoke ends adjacent the outboard side of the wheel, wedge blocks having curved surfaces seating-in said sockets and having holes engaging over said clamping bolts, Wedge members engageable with said rims and secured on said spokes between said laterally sloping wedge surfaces and said wedge blocks, nuts screwing over said bolts on the outboard sides of said wedge blocks, and spacing sleeves engaging over said clamping bolts.

3. In a wheel structure for mounting two pneu ma'tic tires,- the combination of a spoke structure, a. laterally sloping wedge surface at. the

outer end of. each spoke and on the inboard side thereof, an inboard rim having radially inwardly extending lugs rigidly attached thereto at substantially the outboard-edge and adapted toseat on said wedge surface, a bolt carried by each spoke and adaptedto pass through the adjacent rim lug, the outboard portion of each spoke hav-- ing a socket'formed therein, a wedge block seating in each socket andhaving a wedge surface thereon, an outboard rim having radially inwardly extending lugs rigidly attached thereto at substantially the inboard edge and adapted to bear on said latter wedges, said bolts passing-through said last mentioned lugs, and separating sleeves positioned between the opposing faces of said lugs.

4. In a wheel structure for mounting two pneumatic tires, the combination of a spoke structure, each having at the radially outer end and on the inboard side thereof a laterally sloping wedge surface, an inboard rim having radially inwardly extending lugs, one for each spoke, the lugs being rigidly attached to the inboard rim at substantially the outboard edge and adapted to seat on the sloping wedge surface of each spoke, the outboard face of said lugs being substantially radial, a bolt carried by each spoke and adapted to pass through said rim lugs, asocket formed in the outboard portion of. each spoke and opposite said laterally sloping wedge surface, a wedge block seatingvin each socket and having a wedge surface thereon, an outboard rim having radially inwardly extending lugs rigidly attached thereto at substantially the inboard edge thereof and adapted to bear on said latter wedges, the inboard faces of said last mentioned lugs being substantially radial, said bolts passing through said last mentioned lugs, and short spacing sleeves positioned over said bolts and provided with parallel facesabuttlng the above mentioned radial faces of said lugs.

5. In a wheel for mounting two tire rims having radially inwardly extending lugs, the combination of' a central wheel portion, means providing a plurality of pairs of clamping members for clamping the lugs of both of the rims on said central wheel portion spacingmembers disposed between each pair of inwardly extending lugs, a series of bolts extending through said spacing members and cooperating with said clamping members to exert a simultaneous clamping pressure through 7 said clamping members on the lugs of both of said rims, .the radially inwardly extending lugs on said rims fitting between the clamping members,

one of the clamping members of each pair bein integral with the wheel portion, and the other slidable along the adjacent bolt, and one of said rims having bearing support directly upon the central wheel portion outwardly of one side of the radially inwardly extending lugs on the rims, and the other rim having bearing support upon the central wheel portion through said slidable clamping member outwardly of the other side of thelugs on the rims.

6. In a wheel for mounting two tire rims hav-- ing radially inwardly'extending lugs, the combination of a central wheel portion, clamping means providing a plurality of pairs of clamping members for clamping the lugs of both of said rims on said central wheel portion, spacing members associatedwith said clamping members, a single set of bolts extending through said spacing meme bers and cooperating with said clamping members to exert clamping pressure on the lugs of both of said rims, the radially inwardly extending lugs on said rims fitting between the clamping members, one of the clamping members of. each pair being integral with the wheel portion, and the other slidable along the adjacent bolt, and one of said rims having bearing support directly upon the central wheel portion outwardly of one side of the radially inwardly extending lugsfon the rims, and the other rim having bearing support upon the central wheel portion through said slidable clamping member outwardly of the other side'of the lugs on the rims.

' 'l. A dual wheel comprising a central wheel portion having spokes radiating therefrom, a pair of rims mounted thereon, said rims having radially inwardly extending lugs, wedge surfaces on each of said lugs, means fordetachably mounting said rims on said central wheel portion with the lugs of said rims. facing radially inwardly in opposing relation, said means comprising a face facing towards the central plane of said flanged wedging surface integral with said spokes and a detachable block having a wedging surface thereon, both of said latter surfaces engaging the wedging surfaces of said lugs to draw the latter together and to exert a pressure tending to 5 ing radially inwardly extending lugs, the combination of a central wheel portion, a pair of radi- 1o ally outwardly extending members providing two inclined wedging surfaces for embracing the lugs of both of the rims on said central wheel portion, spacing members disposed between said lugs and a series of bolts extending through said radi- T5 ally outwardly extending members and said spacing members, and exerting a simultaneous outward radial clamping pressure through said wedging surfaces on the lugs of both of said rims.

9. In a wheel, in combination, two detachable tire rims,-each having a plurality of radially inwardy extending apertured lugs with inclined wedge surfaces thereon, said rims being arranged with their lugs in opposed relation, a central wheel body having pairs of clamping wedge members adapted to cooperate with said lugs, one member of each pair being fixed relative to the wheel body and the other member being movable,

and bolt means passing through said i'lxed wedge member, said apertured lugs, and said movable 30 wedge member whereby to clamp said rims to the wheel body against lateral and circumferential displacement thereon.

10. A dual demountable rim wheel comprising a central wheel member having an inclined wedge 35 surface at one side of the peripheral portion thereof, an open semi-cylindrical socket at the other side of the peripheral portion thereof, a wedge block rounded at its radially inwardlyiacing surface to fit in said socket and having an 40 inclined radially outwardly facing wedge surface curved on a radius substantially different from that of the said rounded surface, rims having radially inwardly extending lugs seated respectively on said wedge surfaces, a bolt mounted in 45 said central wheel member and said lugs, said bolt being operable to move said w'edge block into a bind the other rim lug on the wedge surface on 5 which it is seated.

11. A dual demountable rim wheel comprisinga central .wheel member having at one side of the peripheral portion thereof an inclined wedge surwheel member, and at the other side thereof an open semi-cylindrical socket, a wedge block movable laterally towards said central plane and rounded at its radially inwardly facing surface to flt in said socket and having a wedge surface inclined oppositely to said first mentioned wedge surface, a pair of rims including radially inwardly extending lugs having laterally and oppositely inclined wedge surfaces adapted to seat respectively on the aforesaid wedge surfaces, and means for forcing the wedge surfaces of said lugs into binding engagement with the surfaces on which they are respectively seated.

12. In combination with a central wheel portion including spokes, a pair of rims mounted on the ends of said spokes, radially inwardly projectling lugs mounted on said rims, sockets formed in each formed to provide a wedging surface, a wedge member movable -in each of said sockets and provided with a wedging surfacecooperating with the wedging surface on the socket wall, said cooperating wedging surfaces being adapted to contact with corresponding wedging surfaces on said lugs, and bolts passing through said sockets and adapted to draw said first named wedge surfaces together to exert an outward radial force against said rims.

13. A dual rim wheel comprising two tire rims having radially inwardly extending lugs, there being wedging surfaces on said lugs, a central wheel body including radially extending spokes, wedging means on said spokes for exerting a force against the surfaces on said lugs for detachably mounting said rims on said central wheel body with the lugs of said-rims facing inwardly toward the central plane of the wheel in opposing relation, and removable spacing members between said lugs, both of said rims and said spacing members being adapted to be dismounted and assembled directly from the outboard side of the Wheel body.

14. A vehicle wheel having a plurality of hollow spokes, each having a, rim seat at the radially outward end thereof at the inboard s de and a recess at the outboard side having a rim-clamp supporting surface, a rim-clamp movable in an inboard direction in respect to said surface and presenting a rim seat, a pair of. rims engaging said rim seats and each having 9. lug extending in an inward radial direction and movable axially through said recess, means extending through said rim-clamp for forcing said rimclamp toward said first mentioned rim seat, and means for spacing said rims, said spacing means serving to force the inboard rim onto the first mentioned seat.

15. In a vehicle wheel, a rim securing means including a wheel body portion having an axially extending, approximately semi-cylindrical recess open at its radially outer side, a bolt extending in an axial direction within said recess, a member having an inclined outboard surface serving as a rim seat, and a radially inwardly extending wall disposed in said recess. and movable therein along said bolt, and in a direction parallel to the wheel axis, said member being supported and guided by said wheel body portion against tilting or radially inward movements, and a nut on said bolt for forcing said member along said recess and applying pressure to the rim in' a direction having inboard and radially outward components.

16. In combination with a central wheel portion including spokes, rim means mounted on the ends of said spokes, radially inwardly projecting lugs mounted on said rim means, sockets formed in the ends of the spokes and adapted to receive said lugs, each of said sockets having a wall at one side thereof, the said walls of said sockets being each formed to provide a wedging surface, a Wedge member movable in eachofsaid sockets and provided with a wedging surface cooperating with the wedging surface on the socket Wall, said cooperating wedging surface being adapted to contact with corresponding wedging surfaces on said lugs, and bolts passing through said sockets and adapted to draw said first named wedge surfaces together to exert an outward radial force against said rim means.

17. In a wheel for mounting two pneumatic tires, the combination of 2. spoke structure, a laterally sloping wedge surface formed at the end of each spoke on the inboard side thereof, an inboard rim having a radially inwardly extending beveled surface adapted to seat on said wedge surface, a bolt carried by each spoke and extending laterally of the outboard side thereof, a semicylindrical outwardly directed socket formed in theoutboard side of each spoke about the extending portion of said bolt, a wedge block having a wedge surface thereon, said-socket having means for guiding said block axially therealong, an outboard rim having a radially inwardly extending bevel surface bearing on said latter wedge surface, said bolt passing through said block, and a separating member at each spoke end between said rims and extending into said socket about said bolt and between said rims.

18. A dual demountable rim wheel comprising a central wheel member having at one side of the peripheral portion thereof an inclined wedge surface facing toward the center plane of said wheel member, and at the othensidethereof an open semigcylindrical socket, a wedge block movable axially of said wheel body toward said central plane and supported against tilting and radially inward movement with respect to said socket and having an outer wedge surface inclined oppositely to said first-mentioned wedge surface, a pair of tire rims including radially inwardly extending beveled surfaces having laterally and oppositely inclined wedge surfaces adapted to seat respectively on the aforesaid wedge surfaces, and means for forcing the wedge surfaces of said rims into binding engagement with the surfaces upon which they are respectively seated.

19. A dual wheel comprising a hub, spokes radiating from said hub, said spokes having beveled seats formed at one side of the ends thereof and pockets formed at the side opposite the seat, an

\ inner rim mounted on the beveled seats, a spacer element positioned at each spoke end and abutting the side of the inner rim, a clamping bolt extending outwardly of said pocket and engaging said element to aline saidelement and rim apboard side of each spoke end, an arcuate outwardly directed socket at the outboard side of each spoke end, a clamping wedge, said socket having means for guiding said wedge axially inwardly thereof, a bolt extending axially of said wheel body through said socket and said, wedge, a pair of tire rims each having a radially inwardly tapered edge portion, one of said rims being mounted on said wall and the other on said wedge, whereby the thrust of said rims is transmitted to said wheel body through said wall and said socket, and individual spacing members at each spoke end between said rims and movable axially of said wheel body.

21. In a wheel of the class described having radially extending spokes, an outwardly directed,

semi-cylindrical socket at the outboard side of each spoke end, a bolt extending axially of said wheel body through each of said sockets, a tire rim having internally beveled seating means adjacent one lateral edge thereof, a clamping lug having anouter tapered surface engaging said seating means and apertured to receive said bolt,

said lug being supported against lateral tilting by the side walls of said socket and guided thereby for movement axially inwardly .of said wheel body, and a nut on said bolt for moving said lug,

into rim clamping position.

22. In a wheel of the class described havin radially extending spokes, an outwardly directed semi-cylindrical socket at the outboard side of each spoke end, a bolt extending axially of said wheel body through each of said sockets, a tire rim-having internally beveled seating means adjacent one lateral edge thereof, a clamping lug,

having an outer tapered surface engaging said seating means and apertured to receive said bolt.

said lug being supported against lateral tilting by said socket and guided thereby for movement axially inwardly of said wheel body, and a nut on said bolt for moving said lug into rim clamping position, said lug transmitting the entire radial thrust of said rim to said wheel body through the defining walls of said socket.

23. Means for mounting a pair of internally beveled tire rims on the spoke ends of a wheel body in laterally spaced relation, said spoke ends having outwardly tapered rim-receiving seats at one side thereof receiving one of said rims, and

.an outwardly directed semi-cylindrical socket at the opposite side thereof, comprising a bolt extending axially of each of said sockets, a spacing member at each spoke end engaging adjacent lateral surfaces of said rims and having movement axially with respect to saidbolt, a clamping lug at each spoke end having an opening receiving said bolt and guided by said socket for axial movement inwardly along said bolt, said lug having a rim engaging outer surface receiving the other of said rims, the radial thrust of said rims being transmitted to said wheel body entirely through said tapered seats and said lugs and sockets, and means on said bolt for moving said lug axially inwardly of said wheel body along said I socket.

24. In a dual wheel, a wheel body having radially extending spokes, outwardly directed semicylindrical sockets at the ends of said spokes, outwardly inclined rim seats at the inboard side of each spoke end, a pair of tire rims having internally beveled seating surfaces, one of said rims being wedged onto said rim seats, spacer members at each spoke end for spacing apart the lateral edges of said rims, a bolt extending axially through said socket, and a tapered clamping lug engaging the seating surface of the other of said rims and supported against lateral tilting with respect to said socket, and means on said bolt engaging saidlug. for drawing said lug axially inwardly of said wheel body along said socket.

25. In a dual wheel, a wheel body having'radially extending spokes, outwardly directed semicylindrical sockets at the ends of said spokes, outwardly inclined rim seats at the inboard side of each spoke end, -a pair of tire rims having internally beveled seating surfaces, one of said rims being wedged onto said rim seats, spacer members at each spoke end for spacing apart the lateral edges of said rims, a bolt extending axially through said socket, said spacing members having movement axially with respect to said bolt, a tapered clamping lug engaging the seating surface of the other of said rims, and supported against lateral tilting with respect to said socket, and 'means on said bolt engaging said lug for drawing said lug axially inwardly of said wheel body along said socket.

26. A wheel of the class described comprising a hub section having radially extending hollow spokes, a transversely extending outwardly inclined wedge surface'at the end of each spoke on the inboard side thereof, an axially extending seating surface projecting from said wedge surface toward the outboard side of said wheel, said seating surface being disposed radially inwardly of said wedge surface, an edge mounted tire rim having a beveled inwardly inclined surface seating on said wedge surface, a second tire rim having a corresponding inclined surface, individual spacing means at each spoke end between the adjacent-lateral edges of said rims and radially inwardly of the outer end of said wedge surface, a bolt disposed transversely across said spoke end and radially inwardly of said wedge surface and projecting toward the outboard side of said wheel, and a wedge-shaped member apertured to receive said bolt and movable axially with respect to said bolt along said seating surface inwardly of the outboard side of said spoke end, said member having an outer inclinedsurface engaging the inclined surface of said second 27. A wheel of the class described having radially extending spokes provided at their ends with tapered rim-seating surfaces on the inboard side thereof, an axially extending seating ledge extending from said wedge surface to the outboard side of each of said spoke ends, said ledge lying radially within said wedge surface, a spacing member at each spoke end extending transversely thereacross above said ledge, a bolt extending transversely across said spoke end toward the outboard side thereof and holding said spacing member against radial outward displacement, and a wedge lug having an outer tapered surface form ing a rim-receiving seat and apertured to receive said bolt, said wedge lug having an axially extending surface disposed radially inwardly of said tapered surface engaging said ledge and movable axially along said bolt inwardly beyond the outboard end of said ledge.

28. In combination, a wheel spider having radially extending hollow spokes, a tapered rim-receiving seat at the inboard side of the end of each spoke, a clamping bolt projecting laterally outwardly of each spoke end, a wedge lug at each spoke end having a. radially and outwardly directed rim-receiving seat, said lughaving an axially extending seating surface engaging a corresponding axially extending supporting surface at the spoke end and being apertured to receive said bolt, spacing means at each spoke end engaging said bolt, and a pair of tire rims engaging the rim-receiving seats and spaced apart by said spacing means.

29. In combination, a wheel spider having radially extending hollow spokes, a tapered rim-receiving seat at the inboard side of the end of each spoke, a clamping bolt projecting laterally outwardly of each spoke end, a wedge lug at each spoke end having a radially and outwardly directed rim-receiving seat, said lug being apertured to receive said bolt and having an axially extending bearing surface guided for lateral inward movement on a corresponding Surface at the spoke end to dispose said lug laterally inward- .ly of the outboard side of saidspider. spacing seats and spaced apart by said spacing means.

FREDERICK W. BURGER. 

